Angels acquired C Drew Butera from the Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Butera was designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week after batting just .188/.267/.288 with three homers across 192 plate appearances this past season. The 31-year-old is a .183/.239/.268 career hitter, but he could be the primary backup in 2015 to Angels starting catcher Chris Iannetta. Tue, Dec 9, 2014 03:21:00 PM

Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM reports that the Angels are close to acquiring catcher Drew Butera.

Butera was designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week to create a 40-man roster spot for Ryan Lavarnway. Butera batted just .188/.267/.288 with three homers in 192 plate appearances this past season for Los Angeles. He is a .183/.239/.268 career hitter. Tue, Dec 9, 2014 03:07:00 PM

The move clears a spot for the newly-claimed Ryan Lavarnway on the 40-man roster. Butera batted just .188/.267/.288 with three homers over 192 plate appearances this past season. Fri, Dec 5, 2014 02:36:00 PM

Josh Hamilton's potential suspension for drug use would begin at the start of the season, a source tells Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.

That's meaningful because Hamilton is also in the process of recovering from shoulder surgery, so the recovery and his suspension could coincide. In fact, there's a chance that Hamilton could actually end up serving his entire suspension, whatever it may be, while rehabbing. A decision on a potential suspension isn't expected anytime soon, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

The club had previously not dismissed the possibility of Richards being ready by Opening Day, but they've now conceded that he'll begin the season on the disabled list. His recovery from patella tendon surgery is going well, though, as he's throwing bullpen sessions and will do simulated pitchers' fielding practice on Sunday. Richards is coming off a breakout 2014 campaign that included a 2.61 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 164/51 K/BB ratio over 168 2/3 innings.